Changes from a Stream's Origin to its Final Outflow

Near the source of a spring or snow melt, streams are usually, cold, clear, and low in nutrients. The streams are narrow and the current is swift. Not many phytoplankton grow here because of the swift current. As the stream flows downstream, the stream widens and slows. The water usually becomes warmer and murkier because more phytoplankton live in the water and sediments from upstream are deposited (Campbell 2001).

Watersheds in Pennsylvania


The major watershed in Pennsylvania is the Susquehanna River watershed. The Susquehanna River watershed is also divided into smaller, subbasins. These include the Upper Susquehanna, Chemung, Middle Susquehanne, West Branch Susquehanna, Juniata, and Lower Susquehanna. THe Susquehanna River Basin is part of the larger Chesapeake Bay Basin. (Susquehanna River Basin Commission 2008). Pennsylvania's other watersheds are the Erie Basin, Ohio Basin, Potomac, Genesee Basin, and the Delaware Basin (DEP).

PA_Watersheds

4.1 Watersheds pd2